Residence permits for foreign students
Foreign students are allowed to study at Finnish educational institutions. If the studies last less than three months, no residence permit is needed. Students can then complete their studies within the period of validity of their visa or while an agreement on the abolition of the visas is in force. If the studies last longer than three months, foreign students have to obtain a residence permit which may be granted for study purposes at a post-comprehensive-school educational institution where studies lead to a qualification or profession. Such institutions are mainly universities and vocational institutions.
EU citizens and equivalent citizens (i.e. nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) may study in Finland without a residence permit. If the studies last more than three months, students must register their right to reside in Finland. This is done at a police station. Citizens of the Nordic countries do not need a visa or a residence permit to study in Finland.
When students apply for a residence permit, they must show that their income is secured during the academic year in Finland. From 1 September 2007 a student from a non-EU country must have a valid health insurance issued by reliable company or institution. Non-EU students who are studying in Finland in a full-time degree programme for minimum of two years need a health insurance that covers medicine costs. If foreigners have resided in Finland for four years with a continuous residence permit and have thus received a permanent residence permit, then they are entitled to receive student financial aid.
A fixed-term residence permit is granted for study purposes. If the studies last more than a year, the residence permit is usually granted for one year at a time. Students who have been granted a temporary residence permit cannot apply for a permanent residence permit. If the student’s reasons for residing in Finland change and if he/she is granted a continuous residence permit, he/she may be granted a permanent residence permit after residing in Finland for four consecutive years with a continuous residence permit.
EU and equivalent citizens can work while they study in Finland. Students from non-EU member states may work within certain limits provided that they have a residence permit granted for study purposes if the work involves practical training included in the degree or if the amount of part-time work does not exceed 20 hours a week. Full-time employment may be undertaken during holidays when the educational institution does not arrange teaching as such; in practical terms, this is usually during the summer and Christmas vacations.
For further information go to the website for the Directorate of Immigration,
www.migri.fi
